the world’s thinnest antishake-enabled camera, the ‘sony cybershot tx55‘ packs new imaging technology
that permits the capturing of two times the level of optical zoom, as well as 3D images and 1080i full HD video.
the device’s exmor 16.2-megapixel CMOS sensor is claimed to significantly reduce image noise even in low light levels.

the camera features ‘by pixel super resolution’ technology, which allegedly doubles the camera’s virtual zoom
to 10x at maximum resolution. this technology is also the foundation for the ability of the ‘tx55’ to capture
12-megapixel still photos without interrupting the shooting of full HD video, in contrast to the 3-megapixel
size ordinarily possible for still images taken during video filming with other recent cameras in the cybershot line.

the video resolution of the device has also increased, to 1080i full HD (AVCHD) video at 60fps.

nintendo‘s ‘wii u’ console was just announced at E3 2011, alongside a multi-input game controller for the device
that doubles as its own screen for both gaming and navigation of websites or other media.

the new tablet-sized controller features a 6.2-inch touch screen, framed by traditional button controls (A/B/X/Y buttons,
L/R buttons, ZL/ZR buttons, and two analog circle pads, alongside power, home, start, and select). a built-in gyroscope
and accelerometer permit the gesture-based interaction that defines the game system, while a rumble feature and stereo
speakers provide feedback. the controller also features a camera and microphone.

at 1.8 inches thick, 6.8 inches wide, and 10.5 inches long, the ‘wii u’ console is backwards compatible with all wii accessories
and games, loading 12-centimeter high-density and wii optical discs. up to four wii remote controllers can interface with the device,
which supports HDMI audio and video output, up through 1080p.

together the new products offer new ways of interacting with wii games. the system is designed to switch seamlessly
between viewing on a an external screen and on the controller itself, and in fact a monitor is no longer necessary
for wii devices to interact with one another. in addition, in a golf game, for example, the ‘wii u’ controller can be played
on the floor to simulate the virtual golf ball and the ‘roughness’ of the grass or sand surface, while a wiimote is used as a club.

‘furo’ by fernando brizio for materia*
agglomerated cork, colored pencils
∅ 255 x H286mm
image courtesy of materia*
in a collaboration that started more than a year ago, portuguese cork manufacturing company amorim,
approached experimentadesign, whose flagship venture is the EXD biennale in lisbon, to develop a project by selecting
designers to bridge the gap between the raw natural material and user, by creating objects for everyday use.
experimentadesign chose ten portuguese and international designers and studios based on their creative processes,
paying close attention to their functionality and relevance, with an understanding of user dynamics.

entitled materia*, the result is a collection of objects that investigate the potential of cork, emphasizing its versatility,
first presented to the public on the occasion of milan design week 2011.

portuguese designer fernando brizio has developed ‘furo’ and ‘senta’ for the collection, both of which explore the idea
of a main cork centrepiece whose purpose and function is enhanced through the use of ‘legs’.

a concept by japanese-born, italy-based designer sono mocci (shunichi yamamoto), ‘nesting pc virtual tablet’ is a combination
tablet and data visualization interface with automatic battery charging and data syncing. phones, memory cards, CDs, USB ports,
and I/O cables can be plugged directly into the device, where they will show up as images on the touchscreen for easy manipulation
and access. the design was shortlisted from over 1000 concepts in our recent designboom competition ‘a life with future computing‘,
organized in collaboration with FUJITSU.

the 13-inch concept tablet features a dedicated dock for mobile phones. when inserted, a visualization of the phone onscreen
works in the same manner as would the device itself, permitting dialing, calling, texting, and other use. the loading of disk media
or flash drives offers a similar intuitive functionality. integrated charging eliminates the need for AC or outlet-specific adapters
for these kinds of devices.

the work of US-based designer rené wooram lee, the ‘bento’ computing system concept integrates
a notebook, tablet, and smartphone into a single modular device, expanding the possibilities of networked use
while extending the life cycle of the product and providing easy portability of each component. ‘bento’ was shortlisted
from over 1000 designs in our recent designboom competition ‘a life with future computing‘, organized in collaboration with FUJITSU.

a laptop with 15″ OLED screen serves as the structural base of the design. when used as an integrated system,
the 11″ tablet and 4″ phone sit in shallow depressions, flanked by a solar powered lithium-ion battery and a 1TB SSD drive.
when charged, the tablet and phone can be removed and used wirelessly, or utilized independently as individual devices.

spanish architecture studio espai MGR‘s ‘habits make us blind’ is a photographic series of work which addresses
the vacant lots in downtown valencia, which they pass everyday.

architects’ own words:
‘…like an invisible metastasis generated in the heart of the city and extending to all its arteries. neighborhoods that,
although having huge potential, lay unused, not promoting a good means of sustainable development.
we recognize this as a typical theme in the central neighborhoods in valencia. sometimes, the tourists are the city’s
inhabitants pay attention to the issue at hand for a moment because secondary problems stemming from those spaces
implied affect us directly. however, in most cases, they are only a part of daily way of life. this photographic body of work
aims to call people’s attention to these neglected spaces. it demands the recreational use of these vacant lots as seen through
the eyes of a child, by filling them with impossible constructions, surrealistic installations in line with the problem. (…)’

newly founded push pop press has just released the first digital book created
through its innovative publishing platform, currently in beta with select clients.
backed by rodale inc. and featuring additional content by melcher media, the ‘our choice ‘ application
is an interactive digital version of al gore’s book ‘our choice: a plan to solve the climate crisis’.

available for the iPad and iPhone, the nineteen-chapter book expands the possibilities of the digital form,
combining truly interactive and multimedia content with an intuitive touch interface.
lacking any kind of control panel, navigation through the book is controlled exclusively
through common touch gestures, scrolling, pinching, and moving onscreen content.

artist juliana santacruz herrera has transformed the streets of paris through her visual intervention
using braided strips of colourful fabric. seeing the many cracks and potholes of the city as
the ‘canvas’ of her project, the site-specific pieces are a playful addition to the grey urban setting.

long lengths of dyed fabrics are braided and then coiled into the shallow breaks in the street.
often made up of a combination of bright colours, the resulting effect creates a graphic and
visually-arresting contrast to the city’s palette.

So, my fellow readers, what do you think about this some sort of “disposable art”? Do yo know other artists that use the city as a canvas for their art? Don’t forget to share experiences!